Combined table and food warmer



S. W. MILLER ET AL COMBINED TABLE AND FOOD WARMER Dec. 30, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1956 5 m w n M Z 0 0 6 Z Z 3 Z 3 1 if m\ I m m 1 a u 3. 1 3 M .l4 w M w l lw l l lui I HW H llu Jlufrfiil'wilL .H I J J Fifi INVEN T 0R5 SHADE w. M/ 52 V44 K. W/LL/AMSOIV BY v A Tree/v5 Y5 Dec. 30, 1958 -s. w. MILLER ETAL 2,866,956 COMBINED TABLE AND FOOD WARMER Filed Aug. 24, .1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TORJ SHADE w. M/L L 6e ByAL K. W/Ll/A MSO/V A77'azA/EYs 2,866,956 COMBINED TABLE AND FOOD WARMER Shade W. Miller and Val K. Williamson, Portsmouth, Ohio Application August 24, 1956, Serial No. 606,076 4 Claims. (Cl. 339-34) This invention relates'to an improved combined dining or serving table and food warming device whereon food servings can be maintained in a warm and palatable condition for indefinite periods of time, as the duration of a meal.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical, and efficient device of this kind which includes one or more electrical outlet sockets, pivoted on the top of the table, which can be pivoted from an inoperative position flush with the table top to a vertical position to be electrically engaged by the prongs of an electrical warming plate supported on the table top.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated which is readily and economically manufactured, easily used, and highly satisfactory, practical and acceptable for the purpose intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of Figure 1, partly in section taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken through the table top, showing in phantom lines an operative position of an outlet socket, and showing said socket in an inoperative position in full lines;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the warming plate assembly, with portions broken away and shown in section for clarity;

Figure -6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a further enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 7 7 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the illustrated device, generally designated 10, comprises a table 12 involving a hollow base 16 having a central upstanding socket 18 receiving therein the lower end of a tubular pedestal 20 which receives on its upper end a socket 22 integral with a flared support 24, which has suitably secured thereupon a circular table top 26 having on its upper surface a sheet 28 of suitable heat terial. Leading upwardly through the pedestal 20 is an electrical cord 30 having on its lower end a connector plug 32, preferably male, for connection to an electrical outlet 33 in the floor S upon which the table 12 rests. The upper end of the cord 30 is connected to an outlet socket assembly, indicated generally at 34.

The table top 26 has therein at least one eccentrically nited States Patent 0 located rectangular opening 36 in which is positioned an in place therein the notches.

rectangular dielectric block 38 having extending from opposite sides thereof trunnions and 42 engaged in notches in the upper surface of the table top 26 and held by elements 44 closing the upper ends of The block 38 has in its upper surface a plate 39 of the same material as the sheet 28 for flushly closing the table top opening 36 when the block 38 is in its inoperative position, as shown in full lines on Figure 3. The block 38 has upper and lower ends 41 and 43, respectively, and a bottom side 45.

At a point near the upper end 41 of the block 38, a pair of tubular contacts 46 within the block 38 open through the bottom side 45. The upper end of the cord 30 extends through the lower end 43 of the block 38' and its conductors 31 are severally connected to the contacts 46 within the block 38. A number of outlet socket assemblies 34 can be relation to each other around the table top 26.

The device further comprises at least one warming 14 which comprises a circular metallic comprising a horizontal wall 52, having plate assembly heating plate 50 thereon a flaring nular flange 54 depending from the periphery of the wall 52 defines an annular recess 56 beneath the wall 52. Molded on and around the flaring flange 58 and the exterior of the flange 54 is a flange 60 of suitable heat insulative material for preventing injurious contact of a' person with the assembly. An upper asbestos plate 62 in the recess 56 is engaged with the underside of the wall 52, and a lower asbestos plate 64 is secured across the lower end of the recess 56. Secured on the bottom of the flange 54 by means of suitable fasteners, such as screws 66, is a bottom plate 68, and the screws 66 serve also to secure feet 70 of any suitable heat insulative maresistant material to and depending from the underside of the bottom plate 68.

The asbestos plates 62 and 64 define therebetween a heating compartment 72 in which is disposed a suitable resistance-type heatingcoil 74, opposite ends of which are connected to connector prongs '76 extending laterallyoutwardly from the side of the heating plate assembly 14 in sealed relationship relative to the heating compartment. 72 to prevent entrance of moisture into said compartment when the assembly 14 is washed, for example. The prongs 76 are removably engageable in the tubular contacts 46 of the outlet socket assembly 34.

The flange 54 has in its lower edge a groove 77 inwhich is seated a resilient sealing gasket 78 of heat resistant material, for the purpose of preventing the entrance of moisture into the heating compartment 72 between the bottom plate 68 and the flange 54.

The table top 26 may be provided with as many outlet assemblies 34 as desired, four being shown in Figure 1, for the purpose of accommodating four persons at the table, each person having a warming plate assembly 14 connectible to a related outlet socket assembly 34 for maintaining his serving of food in awarm and palatable condition, or sizzling hot, if desired.

Although the warming plate assembly 14 has been disclosed as circular, it is to be understood that the same may be constructed as oval, for example, for the purpose of serving fish, steaks, or the like.

In addition, the warming plate assembly 14 can be used independently of the table 12, in the home, and connected with an ordinary appliance cord.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the provided in circumferentially spaced peripheral annular flange 58. An anact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a device of the character described, a table come prising a table top, said table top having at least one opening therein, an outlet socket assembly positioned within said opennig and horizontally pivoted therein to be pivoted from a horizontal inoperative position flush with the table top to a vertical operative position projecting above the table, said socket assembly comprising a dielectric block of substantially the dimensions of said:

opening, said block having an upper side, a bottom side, and upper and lower ends, said upper end of the block being arranged to be above the table top in the operative position of the socket assembly, said block having tubular contacts near its upper end and opening through its bottom side for receiving connector prongs onan electric appliance on the table top, and an electric cord having an upper end entering the lower end of said block, said cord having conductors connected to said tubular con tacts within the block, said cord having a lower end having a connector plug there-on for connection with an outlet in a floor upon which the table base rests.

2. In a device of the character described, a table comprising a table top, said table top having at least one opening therein, an outlet socket assembly positioned within said opening and horizontally pivoted therein to be pivoted from a horizontal inoperative position fiushwith the table top to a vertical operative position projecting above the tabletop, said socket assembly comprising a dielectric block of substantially the dimensions of said opening, said block having an upper side, a bottom side and upper and lower ends, said upper end of the block being arranged to be above the table top in the operative position of the socket assembly, said block having tubular contacts near its upper end and opening through its bottom side for receiving connector prongs on an electric appliance on the table top, and an electric cord having an upper end entering the lower end of said block, said cord having conductors connected to said tubular contacts within the block, said cord having a lower end having a connector plug thereon for connection with an outlet in a floor upon which the table base rests, said table top being centrally mounted on a tubular pedestal, and said cord being extended through said pedestal, and a support element on the upper end of the pedestal and extending laterally outwardly therefrom beneath the outlet socket assembly and engaging the underside of the table top.

3. In combination, a support having an exposed surface, said support having an opening therethrough, a dielectric block positioned in said opening, said block having opposed ends and upper side and lower sides, means pivoting the block on the'support ata point between the ends of the block whereby the block can be pivoted in said opening fromastored position in which the upper side of the block is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the support to an operative position in which one of said ends of theblockprojects-outward1y beyond said exposed surface, electrical appliance prong contacts in said block at said one end of the block, said contacts having outer ends exposed at the lower side of the block for engagement by prongs of an appliance located at said exposed side of the support, and electric cord connecting means associated with said contacts.

4. In combination,- a support having an exposed surface, said support having an opening therethrough, a dielectric block positioned in said opening, said block havingopposed ends and upper side and lower sides, means pivoting the block on the support ata point between the ends of the block whereby the block can be pivoted in said opening from a stored position in which the upper side of the block is substantially flush with the exposed surface ofthe support to an operative position in vwhich one of said ends of the block projects outwardly beyond said exposed surface, electrical appliance prong contacts in said block at'said one end of the block, said contacts having outer ends exposed at the lower side of theblock for engagement by prongs of an appliance located at said exposed. side of the support, andelectric cord connecting means associated with said contacts, and an electric cord entering the remaining end'of the block and connected to said connecting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,805,988 Kraft May 19, 1931 2,392,445 Anderson Ian. 8, 1946 2,548,932 Ball Apr. 17, 1951 2,775,684 Berliner Dec. 25 1956 2,783,357 Readey Feb. 26, 1 957 2,798,144 Fry July 2, 1957 

